Meanwhile, in Todd-Lots R' Us this morning out of the opening gate-and, as always, offered in real-time on the Buzz & Banter-I added some USO calls and shaved my Baidu (BIDU) puts ever so slightly (and the position was "ever so slight" to begin with).

I also sniffed at punting some Morgan Stanley (MS) and American Express (AXP) puts but as they're starter (read: small) positions, I opted to leave 'em alone. That may prove to be a mistake but decisions are made in real-time and results are only evident with the benefit of hindsight.

General Motors (GM) is a bank, not a car manufacturer and managing credit issues-both on the corporate and consumer side-is paramount to its survival. The stock is down 75% since October and while I'll trade it, I need to see credit conditions improve before ever considering it as an investment.

"Wells Fargo (WFC) is doing a hybrid deal around $1 billion.Price talk is 9 1/2-9 3/4%. And this is a 'good bank'?"Professor Bennet Sedacca on today's Buzz.

The doors to Festivus 2008 are officially open! Lock your spot for the critter trot as last year's soiree sold out. This is our annual event to commingle our professors, partners and Minyans while chowing down and listening to live music. The very best part? It's for the kids in the good name of my grandfather.